Hannah Schwartz

Communications Associate, Bayer
Hannah graduated from Rutgers University with a B.A. in Communications and a minor in Business Administration before completing her Master’s in Communication through the 4+1 program, specializing in Corporate Purpose and Social Impact. She credits her success to the connections and hands-on experiences she gained at Rutgers, particularly through Scarlet PR, PRSSA, and mentorship from Professor Mark Beal, who helped her land her initial contract role at Bayer. After six months, Hannah transitioned smoothly into a full-time position, supported by her team’s encouragement. She emphasizes the importance of balancing technical and soft skills, continuous learning through workplace programs, and building relationships. Her advice to students: network widely, take every opportunity, and trust your perspective, even if you’re the youngest voice in the room.

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Melissa Januzzi

Associate Director of Communications, Citizen Watch America
Melissa Januzzi discusses her journey from interning at Taylor, a New York-based marketing agency, to becoming Associate Director of Communications at Citizen Watch America. A Rutgers graduate with degrees in History and Communications, she highlights storytelling, adaptability, and relationship-building as key to her success. After being laid off from her longtime agency role, Melissa used her network to quickly land her new position, where she now manages external communications, social media, and influencer strategies. She advises students to read widely, stay curious, and nurture professional connections, emphasizing that “trust and relationships can’t be taught, they’re earned.”

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Margaret Curran

Senior Specialist, Enterprise Engagement & Communications, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine
 
Maggie Curran discusses her career journey from her high school internship at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk to her current role as a senior specialist in Enterprise Engagement and Communication at Johnson & Johnson’s Innovative Medicine division. Curran highlights the importance of being proactive and taking advantage of opportunities, such as her high school internship and remote work during the pandemic. She also shares her experiences during her master’s program fellowship at Johnson & Johnson, where she gained skills in program management, internal communication, and using tools like Sprout Social and Canva.
 

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Cassidy Duhigg

Global Communications Specialist, Kenvue
 
Cassidy Duhigg discusses her career journey from being a Communications intro class student at Rutgers University to landing a full-time role as a communication specialist at Kenvue, a spin-off of Johnson and Johnson. Duhigg shares her excitement about making an impact on the world through her work and her pride in contributing to internal communications that keep employees informed and engaged. She emphasizes the importance of being a team player and a good collaborator in the corporate world and offers advice to students to take any opportunity given to them.

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Renee Oliver

Corporate Communications Manager,
 
Renee Oliver, a Corporate Communications Manager at The Orchard, shares her inspiring career journey. After graduating in 2017 and starting in HR at a mid-size company, she pursued her passion for music and entertainment. Despite the challenges of juggling work and graduate studies at Rutgers University, her experience fueled her determination to work in the music industry. After finishing her Master’s, she took a risk and quit her job at Goldman Sachs to pursue an internship at Sony Music.

Renee also runs a non-profit. It’s called the Sheila Y. Oliver Civic Association.It is charitable organization committed to educating and developing young women of color who are interested in government, public policy, and community organizing.

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Clarissa Ford

Clarissa is a charming personality committed to delivering health communication that makes a difference. She interacts with a wide range of people who are impacted by a variety of problems. She frees people from medical jargon to easy understandable terms.

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Marty Siederer

Executive Director, MAC Angels Foundation

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Misty Rosas

Director of MedTech Communications, Acquisitions & Divestitures, Johnson & Johnson

Misty Rosas is a Rutgers graduate from 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. She also received her Master in Corporate Communications with a focus on Social Media for Business Use, at Northeastern University in 2013. Now she works as Director of MedTech Communications, Acquisitions & Divestitures at Johnson & Johnson. Misty is a great storyteller, explaining the beginnings of her career and how to work from the bottom to the top.

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Jessica Castles Smith

Director, Oncology Corporate and Product Communications

Jessica Castles Smith is a 2008 graduate of Rutgers University and a 2011 graduate of the SC&I Master’s program at Rutgers. Today, she is known as a results-driven, decisive communications leader who has more than 15 years of experience creating and executing strategic communication programs to drive business goals. She is currently a Director of Corporate and Product Communications at the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, where she is responsible for elevating the reputation of the company’s oncology business and leading communication and public affairs strategies for the company’s fastest growing portfolio. She has worked across Johnson & Johnson’s corporate, pharmaceutical, and MedTech businesses and has experience in multiple communications specialties, including employee communications and change management, executive communications and counsel, media relations, public affairs and issues management. Jessica has held roles of increasing responsibility since she joined Johnson & Johnson as a Corporate Communication Fellow in 2009.

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Nadia Gidwani, BA Communication

Vice President at GCI Health

Nadia Gidwani’s passion for healthcare, diversity and inclusion shines through in this inspirational interview. Nadia’s sage advice will help you overcome uncertainty on your career journey and show you how to the change the way your industry looks for the better.  Always remember: you can make it too if you are passionate about what you do!

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Lauren Stone

UX/Product Designer at Florence Healthcare

Whether you are starting your career or changing your career, Lauren Stone has you covered. Lauren’s diverse experience and entrepreneurial spirit is on display in this interview. Her career advice and expertise is useful to professionals in every field.

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Colin DeVries, MCM ’18

Media Relations at NYU Langone Health

Colin DeVries’ career journey has taken him everywhere from courtrooms to newsrooms to natural disaster zones. He has advice and insight for professionals in every industry, and in this video, he even shares sage advice he received from legendary broadcast journalist Anderson Cooper!

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Shaun Mickus, BA ’91, MCIS ’93

Senior Director of Local Community Impact at Johnson & Johnson

Shaun Mickus is an example of how communication skills can be used to greatly improve society. Shaun’s background in communication was the catalyst for his career in sustainability, strategic philanthropy, and community relations. Learn about these topics, CSR, ESG, and more, and discover how to start your career in these fields and be a force for positive change.

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